What Now? with Trevor Noah John Oliver: The Daily Show, "Ignition" CPR, and Corporate Shit-Stirring
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Jan 15, 2026 
John Oliver, the sharp-witted host of 'Last Week Tonight,' joins Trevor for a spirited chat. They dive into their origins at The Daily Show, sharing amusing tales of their first impressions of New York. John reveals his affinity for political controversy and the rigorous fact-checking behind his show. The duo discusses the balance of in-depth storytelling in a weekly format versus daily TV challenges, while also tackling issues like misinformation, corporate mergers, and even the beautiful chaos of football.
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Unexpected Calls Changed Careers
- John Oliver got hired for The Daily Show after flying to New York for what he thought was a short audition trip and immediately appeared on the show the same night.
- Trevor Noah also received a surprise call from Jon Stewart in Harrods and initially declined before later joining.
Harrods Call Almost Dismissed As Scam
- Trevor Noah got a surprise call from Jon Stewart in Harrods and initially mistook the offer for a scam.
- He later accepted after seeing the show's style and potential during visits and appearances.
Serious Meetings Make Better Jokes
- Early writers' meetings on news-comedy shows look humorless because they build factual foundations, not punchlines.
- Solid research and structure let later jokes land without collapsing the whole story.
